CONWAY, Ark. – Central Arkansas softball is back on the road this weekend, playing in Louisiana Tech's Bulldog Classic from Friday to Sunday. The Bears will play four games across the three days, playing Northern Iowa on Friday at 1 and Louisiana Tech at 6, Saturday against Stephen F. Austin at 3:30, and Sunday against Louisiana Tech at 12:30.
The Bears (9-7) played the first of five SEC games on Wednesday, taking an early lead over Ole Miss before the Rebels picked it up and ran away with the result. Central Arkansas started on the right foot, getting a base hit from
Addie Graham before
Trinity Brandon launched a two-run home run to steal a quick 2-0 lead, but unfortunately, the Rebels' bats got going at the plate.
Now 16 games into the season, the Bears are hitting .283 as a team, with Brandon (.365), Graham (.347),
LJ Smith (.311) and
Kaitlyn Graham (.300) all hitting .300 or better. The four Bears, along with
Emma Robertson, all have double-digit hits already this season, and have combined for seven of the nine Bear home runs.
Northern Iowa is a familiar foe for Central Arkansas, having already faced the Panthers at home this season. UNI is 6-6 entering the weekend, winning four of five last weekend at the Best on the Bayou tournament in Monroe, Louisiana. Skylar Benesh and Katie Lappe continue to swing great bats, both hitting over .450 with five or more home runs each. The Panthers have 18 homers as a team, and slug .565 as a squad.
Louisiana Tech is 12-3 after hosting Southern Mississippi over last weekend, winning two of three games at Dr. Billy Bundrick Field. The Bulldogs have a dangerous lineup top to bottom, with six batters that have started nine or more games hitting .300 or better. Six Bulldogs have double-digit hits, and the team has a .405 on base percentage as a group. In the circle, Allie Floyd holds a 1.71 ERA with a 4-1 record and 39 strikeouts.
Stephen F. Austin is 11-6 entering the weekend, winners of four-straight. The Jacks run-ruled UT Arlington on Tuesday, defeating the Mavs 14-6 in six innings. The Jacks have an ideal lineup, with high-percentage hitters up top (4 hitters batting .430 or better) and power in the middle of the lineup (14 homers from five hitters). But pitching has also been good for SFA, two pitchers with 20-plus innings hold sub-2.00 ERAs. Kai Hudson (1.27 ERA) and Amelia Hatthorn (1.44) are a combined 5-1 on the year with 36 strikeouts. SFA pitching is allowing opponents to hit just .252 on the year.
The Bears will have live stats available for every game this weekend. Only games against Louisiana Tech will be streamed on ESPN+.
